Grant Sought For Industrial Park

Town Officials Seek Funds To Revive Expansion Plan

August 07, 1998|By KEN BYRON; Courant Correspondent

PLYMOUTH — A proposal to expand the town's industrial park, thought dead after residents overwhelmingly rejected the idea two months ago, may be coming back, if town officials land a sought-after federal grant.

The park has 95 acres and lies between North Harwinton Avenue and Preston Road. The town wants to buy an additional 127 acres, which would extend the park to Burger Road. The town has an option to buy the additional land that expires at the end of the year.

John Swicklas, chairman of the industrial and development commission, said he wants to put forth a new proposal before the option expires. The commission will meet Wednesday with the economic development task force, mayor and town planner to discuss the park's future.

In a referendum June 24, residents voted 800-478 to reject the expansion. Opponents were concerned about the cost of the project and its impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood.

A key to bringing back the proposal is the hope of receiving a grant of as much as $1.5 million from the federal Economic Development Administration. The money would be used to reduce the town's share of the project's $5.2 million cost, which officials hope will make it more palatable to residents. The state has alread committed to paying half the cost, so the grant would reduce the town's share to about $1.1 million.

But even at a reduced cost to local taxpayers, several residents who spoke against the plan last spring said they still don't like it.

``They would just be throwing good money after bad,'' said Peter Tonn of Preston Road. ``That park isn't viable, and I hope the people who opposed the expansion keep on as they did.''

Opposition to the expansion drew supporters from throughout town, but was spearheaded by residents around the park.

``We opposed the expansion because we didn't want it in the middle of our neighborhood,'' said Susan Ceskavich. ``Others voted against it because they were opposed to spending the money. The town seems to be on a mission to extend the park, and if they get the additional money we'll have to go through this again.''

Mayor Richard Covello and Town Planner William Kuehn have been talking to EDA officials since the spring about applying for the grant. They expect the town will be invited to apply and are confident money will be forthcoming.

``Being asked to apply is tantamount to approval,'' Kuehn said. ``They don't encourage you to apply unless you've made a reasonable case that you deserve a grant.''

The maximum the town could receive is $1.5 million.

``The maximum amount is given if a community can tie its economic condition to defense cuts,'' Kuehn said. ``We're trying to create a hook that will let us latch onto the $1.5 million. There were companies in the area that were defense contractors and where Plymouth residents used to work, but it's hard to come by the statistics that show how many of those residents were laid off and what then happened to them.''

Swicklas said there have been inquiries from companies interested in buying lots in the expansion and town officials say they may be able to cut the town's upfront costs even further by including money from future sales of lots in the budget.